Sediment removal apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sediment removal system and method provides a versatile and controllable device for removing sediment from water in a focused manner that avoids generating unwanted turbidity. A suction pump draws water and sediment through a suction conduit and the injection of air into the suction conduit by air nozzles enables sediment to be removed from greater depths. The inclusion of water nozzles on an inlet opening enables hardened sediment to be dislodged such that it may be drawn into the suction conduit. A GPS receiver mounted to the suction conduit enables the location of the removal process to be tracked and a knife valve prevents backflow out of the suction conduit. The capturing of solid sediment by retention containers and the capturing of water containing suspended sediment by a tank enables the sediment and water to be transported to an appropriate location for treatment or disposal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of U.S. provisional applicationSer. No. 60/647,309, filed Jan. 26, 2005, by Steven B. Taplin forSEDIMENT REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING SEDIMENT FROM OPENWATERWAYS, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the removal of sediment from bodies ofwater, and in particular to a sediment removal method and system thatremoves sediment from significant depths while limiting or avoidingturbidity.

Methods of removing sediment from bodies of water exist, however, suchknown methods of removal often include undesirable side effects. Forexample the equipment and process of dredging generates significantturbidity in that the sediment is openly disturbed from its settledcondition. Such disruption to the sediment bed causes portions of thesediment to become suspended in the water. This is undesirable,particularly when the sediment is contaminated, as the level ofcontamination in the water is increased. Furthermore, dredgingprocesses, such as cutter head dredging, are inefficient in that a muchgreater percentage of water is removed as compared to sediment. Cutterhead dredging is also an unfocused or less controlled process in thatthe equipment is not easily maneuvered and, therefore, also susceptibleto damage from submerged objects.

Therefore an apparatus is needed that enables controlled removal ofsediment while avoiding turbidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is embodied in a sediment removal system forremoving sediment from bodies of water, where the system is able toremove sediment from depths greater than twenty-nine feet and in acontrolled manner such that the generation of unwanted turbidity isminimized.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of removingsediment from a flowing waterway comprises movably supporting a suctionconduit that has an inlet portion and an inlet opening over the waterwaywith a support device, inserting the inlet portion of the suctionconduit into the water such that the inlet opening of the inlet portionis located near a sediment bed, injecting air into a flow path of theinlet portion with at least one air nozzle located on the inlet portion,the air nozzle being supplied with air from an air supply device, anddrawing water and sediment using a suction pump through the suctionconduit and through at least one retention container, the retentioncontainer being adapted to retain sediment removed from a flowingwaterway.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a sediment removalsystem for removing sediment from a body of water comprises a suctionconduit having an inlet portion defining an inlet opening, at least oneretention container adapted to retain sediment removed from a body ofwater, a suction pump adapted to draw sediment and water through thesuction conduit and into the at least one retention container, and amoveable crane that has a base, a boom, and at least one support membersupported by the boom, the base of the crane being located on land. Theat least one support member is of a predetermined length and securableto the suction conduit such that the suction conduit is not directlysupported by the base and the inlet portion is selectively positionablewithin the water. The sediment removal system further includes an airsupply device, and at least one air nozzle that is located on the inletportion and adapted to inject air from the air supply device into a flowpath of the suction conduit.

According to another object of the present invention, a sediment removalsystem for removing sediment from a body of water comprises a suctionconduit having an inlet portion and an inlet opening, at least oneretention container adapted to retain sediment removed from a body ofwater, a suction pump adapted to draw sediment and water through thesuction conduit and into the at least one retention container, and afloating vessel operable to support the suction conduit such that theinlet portion is selectively positionable within the water. The sedimentremoval system further includes an air supply device and at least oneair nozzle that is located on the inlet portion and adapted to injectair from the air supply device into a flow path of the suction conduit.

According to another object of the present invention, a sediment removalsystem for removing sediment from a body of water comprises a suctionconduit having an inlet portion and an inlet opening, at least oneretention container adapted to retain sediment removed from a body ofwater, a suction pump, the suction pump adapted to draw sediment andwater through the suction conduit and into the at least one retentioncontainer, and a moveable gantry adapted to movingly support the suctionconduit such that the inlet portion is selectively positionable withinthe water. The sediment removal system further includes an air supplydevice and at least one air nozzle that is located on the inlet portionand adapted to inject air from the air supply device into a flow path ofthe suction conduit.

According to another object of the present invention, a sediment removalsystem for removing sediment from a body of water comprises a suctionconduit having an inlet portion and an inlet opening, at least oneretention container adapted to retain sediment removed from a body ofwater, a suction pump adapted to draw sediment and water through thesuction conduit and into the at least one retention container, and asupport device adapted to movingly support the suction conduit such thatthe inlet portion is selectively positionable within a body of water.The sediment removal system further includes an air supply device, atleast one air nozzle, a water pump, and at least one water nozzle. Theat least one air nozzle is located on the inlet portion and is adaptedto inject air from the air supply device into a flow path of the suctionconduit. The at least one water nozzle is affixed to the inlet portionnear the inlet opening, and the water pump and water nozzle are operableto discharge pressurized water directed at a sediment bed.

The sediment removal system of the present invention provides aversatile and controllable device for removing sediment from water in afocused manner that avoids generating unwanted turbidity. A suction pumpdraws water and sediment through a suction conduit and the injection ofair into the suction conduit by air nozzles enables sediment to beremoved from greater depths by providing additional lift to the columnof water. The inclusion of water nozzles on an inlet opening enableshardened sediment to be dislodged such that it may be drawn into thesuction conduit. A GPS receiver mounted to the suction conduit enablesthe location of the removal process to be tracked and a knife valveprevents backflow out of the suction conduit. The capturing of solidsediment by retention containers and the capturing of water containingsuspended sediment by a tank enables the sediment and water to betransported to an appropriate location for treatment or disposal.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view illustrating a sediment removal systemin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the vacuum truck, retentioncontainers, and pumps of the sediment removal system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the suction conduit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the inlet portion of the suctionconduit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating the relative orientation ofthe suction pump to the inlet opening of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a sediment removal system inaccordance with the present invention illustrating an alternativesupport device from that shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a sediment removal system inaccordance with the present invention illustrating an alternativesupport device from that shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A sediment removal system 10 in accordance with the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 1 for removing sediment located beneath water orcontaminated liquid. Sediment removal system 10 is adapted to removesediment while limiting or prohibiting the amount of turbidity generatedin the water. As such, the material that has settled to the bottom ofthe water or liquid is generally prohibited or limited from beingstirred into suspension, thus allowing more of the sediment to beremoved and preventing further contamination of the water or liquid.

Sediment removal system 10 is adapted for use in removing sedimentslocated within flowing waterways, such as rivers, streams, channels,canals, or via ducts. Sediment removal system 10 is also adapted for usein non-moving bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, aeration basins, orsedimentation lagoons. The following description of sediment removalsystem 10 will refer to the fluid within which the sediment is locatedas water for ease of discussion. However, it should be understood thatsediment removal system 10 is well adapted for use in water, water basedliquids that are contaminated with chemicals or toxins, or othernon-water fluids.

Sediment removal system 10 generally includes a suction conduit 12, amoveable support device 14, which in the preferred embodiment shown is acrane 16 adapted to support suction conduit 12, two sediment retentioncontainers 18, 20, and a vacuum truck 22. Vacuum truck 22 includes ahigh pressure suction pump 24 that enables sediment 26 and water 28 tobe drawn through the suction conduit 12 and through the sedimentretention containers 18, 20 and into the tank 30 of truck 22. Sediment26 is retained within containers 18, 20, in the manner described below,such that generally only water or water and suspended solids arecontained within tank 30. As described in more detail below, suctionconduit 12 is provided with air nozzles 32 that direct pressurized airinto a flow path 34 of the suction conduit 12 and thus enable suctionconduit 12 to remove sediments 26 from depths 53 greater thantwenty-nine feet below the relative elevation of suction pump 24.

In the illustrated embodiment, suction conduit 12 is constructed ofmetallic, eight inch vacuum pipe. It should be appreciated, however,that pipe of larger or smaller diameter may also be used to removesediment 26. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, suction conduit 12 issubstantially L-shaped and includes a first member 36 and a secondmember 38, where first member 36 is adapted to be extended over thesurface of water 28 in a generally horizontal orientation and secondmember 38 is inserted into water 28 in a generally vertical orientation.As shown in FIG. 3, first member 36 is constructed of multiple lengthsof straight pipe sections 40 connected together at joints 42. Firstmember 36, therefore, may be readily configured to different lengthsdepending upon the size of the body of water 28 from which sediments 26are being removed and upon any surrounding structural constraints. Firstmember 36 also includes an isolation valve 43 distal from intersection46 that can be used to prevent water 28 and sediment 26 contained withinsuction conduit 12 from spilling out when not attached to retentioncontainers 18, 20. Second member 38 includes, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,an inlet portion 50 and an inlet opening 52. Sediment 26 and water 28are drawn into inlet opening 52 by suction pump 24, as described below,creating a flow path 34 within suction conduit 12.

A global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver 44 is shown at theintersection 46 of first and second members 36, 38 in FIG. 3. GPSreceiver 44 may be adapted to send a position signal to either theoperator in crane 16 or to a position plotter, such as a computer, (notshown), thereby enabling tracking of the locations within water 28 fromwhich sediment 26 has been removed. FIG. 3 also discloses a relief valve48 located near intersection 46, the operation of relief valve 48 beingdescribed below.

As noted above, sediment removal system 10 also includes air nozzles 32on inlet portion 50. Multiple air nozzles 32 are positionedcircumferentially around inlet portion 50 of second member 38approximately 1 to 1.5 feet above the inlet opening 52 relative to theflow path 34. Air nozzles 32 are mounted through the wall of secondmember 38 to inject pressurized air into the flow path 34 within theinternal diameter of second member 38. Air nozzles 32 are oriented todirect the injected pressurized air upwards relative to flow path 34.The injection of pressurized air into flow path 34 enables sedimentremoval system 10 to remove sediment 26 from depths 53 greater thantwenty-nine feet relative to the vertical location of suction pump 12,as understood from FIG. 5, by providing added lift to the column ofwater and sediment within second member 38. The inclusion of air alongwith the water 28 and sediment 26 in flow path 34 also provides anadditional benefit to the suction pump 24 of vacuum truck 22 as suchpumps may often require a portion of air in the fluid being drawn therethrough for proper operation.

Pressurized air is supplied to air nozzles 32 by an air supply device54, which in the illustrated embodiment is an air compressor 56, asshown in FIG. 1, adapted to supply air at a volumetric rate of between185 and 300 cubic feet per minute. FIG. 4 discloses individual air lines58 extending along second member 38 to each air nozzle 32, with the airnozzles 32 being affixed to a mounting ring 60. Alternatively, fewer airlines 58 or a single main line could supply pressurized air to a plenumor manifold, with the individual air nozzles 32 being connected to suchstructure. Shroud 62 surrounds the air nozzles 32 to protect them frompotential damage that could be caused if inlet portion 50 were toinadvertently strike a submerged object. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a fin63 may be attached to the outside of inlet portion 50 to provide furthercontrol of inlet opening when moving second member 38 within water 28 orif water 28 includes a current. Although only one fin 63 is illustrated,multiple fins may alternatively be provided with the fins being eithermanually or remotely and automatically adjustable.

Water nozzles 64 mounted to nozzle ring 66 are located at inlet opening52, as shown in FIG. 4. Nozzle ring 66 functions as a high pressurewater gallery or manifold and is supplied with high pressure waterthrough water line 68 by a high pressure water pump or water blaster 70that is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Water pump 70 is adapted to supply waterto water nozzles 64 at pressures of between 1,000 to 40,000 psi. In theillustrated embodiment, water nozzles 64 are oriented downwards andinwards relative to flow path 34 and function to break-up or dislodgesediment 26 that has become compacted or hardened or conglomerated. Bydirecting water nozzles 64 in a downward and inward orientation relativeto flow path 34, dislodged sediment 26 is prevented or limited frompluming out beyond inlet opening 52 and creating turbidity in the water.

FIG. 4 also discloses that a restrictor or valve or restrictor valve orstop valve 72, which in the illustrated embodiment is a knife valve 74,is affixed to inlet portion 50, and positioned approximately two to fourfeet above inlet opening 52. Knife valve 74 has two positions, an openposition and a closed position. In the closed position, knife valve 74blocks flow path 34 and in the open position flow path 34 is clear. Theposition of knife valve 74 is controlled by air supplied by aircompressor 56 through air line 76 to an air over piston arrangement,where knife valve 74 is in the open position when supplied with air.Knife valve 74 functions to prevent backflow out of suction conduit 12when air compressor 56 is turned off. Therefore, when air is no longerprovided to knife valve 74, knife valve 74 closes and the column ofwater remaining in suction conduit 12 is prevented from flowing back outof inlet opening 52 and creating turbidity. Although illustrated as anair operated knife valve 74, it should be understood that restrictor 72may be alternatively constructed in accordance with the presentinvention and still function as intended and may or may not be airoperated. For example, an alternative restrictor could be constructed asone or more floating check valves.

Although not shown, second member 38 may include depth marks starting atthe inlet opening 52 and extending upwards towards intersection 46. Suchdepth marks make it possible to gage the depth from the surface of thewater 28 to the sediment bed 26.

Crane 16, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a base 78, a boom 80, and asupport member 82 that is suspended from boom 80 by cable 84. Suctionconduit 12 is further attached to boom 80 by cable 86 at intersection46. Base 78 is adapted to move on land 88 and, in conjunction with boom80, functions to position the inlet opening 52 of suction conduit 12along the sediment bed 26. In the illustrated embodiment, suctionconduit 12 is not connected or supported directly to base 78 of crane 16in order to avoid improper loading of base 78, which could result indamage to crane 16. For example, suction conduit 12 may become quiteheavy, particularly when first member 36 is constructed to be quite longand extended a considerable distance over the water 28. Furthermore, ifsediment removal system 10 is used to remove sediment 26 from a flowingwaterway, the current will generate horizontal forces on second member38. These forces, in turn, will create torque moments about first member36, thus making it more difficult to control the positioning of inletportion 50 within the waterway if suction conduit 12 were connected toor supported by base 78, as well as increase the potential for damage tocrane 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, support member 82 is formed from anI-beam and is approximately 20 feet in length. Support member 82 isattached to first member 36 by shackles (not shown) secured to tabs ordog ears (not shown) located on first member 36. The structural rigidityof support member 82 provides support to the span of first member 36 byreducing the distance between unsupported portions of first member 36.The use of support member 82 thereby limits the amount of bending thatwill occur on first member 36 as compared to single point attachment ofcable 84 to first member 36. It should be understood that support member82 may be constructed of alternative lengths and profiles and stillfunction to provide support to first member 36. For example, supportmember 82 could be constructed of either a shorter or longer C-channelor half-pipe type beam that was affixed either above or below firstmember 36.

Sediment removal system 10 is disclosed in FIG. 1 as utilizing only onesupport member 82, it should also be appreciated that multiple supportmembers 82 could be suspended from boom 80 by multiple cables 84 andaffixed to first member 36. Such a construction would further reduce theunsupported length of first member 36 and/or enable suction conduit 12to be positioned further away from the land 88 upon which base 78 ofcrane 16 is positioned. This is significant in that various sizes ofcranes 16 may be used with sediment removal system 10 to support longersuction conduits 12 in order to reach further out into water 28.

Sediment removal system 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, may alsoemploy alternative support devices 114 and 214 for movably supportingsuction conduit 12 for removal of sediment 26. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 6, suction conduit 12 may be placed on a powered orun-powered floating vessel 117. When the floating vessel 117 isun-powered, such as a barge, it would be necessary to provide a methodof moving the vessel 117, for example, with a tugboat or a land baseddevice connected to the barge. Floating vessel 117 may also be used tosupport a crane, such as crane 16 discussed above, which would enablefurther control of inlet portion 50. If a large enough floating vesselwere utilized, the sediment retention containers 18, 20, suction pump24, and tank 30 of sediment removal system 10 could also be located onthe floating vessel.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a support device 214 disclosed asa gantry or gantry crane 219 that may be used in connection with thesediment removal system of the present invention. Gantry 219 may beconstructed to move the suction conduit 12 in a vertical and horizontalorientation relative to the water 28 and, in order to move adjacent towater 28, may be self-propelled or caused to move by a separate device.Additionally, further alternative types of construction equipment may beused as a support device in place of crane 16 such as, for example, anexcavator (not shown).

First and second retention containers 18, 20 are serially connected tosuction conduit by eight inch flexible hosing 90. Air, water, andsediment drawn through the suction conduit 12 flows through a flexiblehose 90 and into second retention container 20. From there, the mixtureis drawn through another flexible hose 90 and into the first retentioncontainer 18. Retention containers 18, 20, as should be understood, aresealed such that vacuums may be created within the containers 18, 20 bysuction pump 24. Retention containers 18, 20 serve as settling vesselsfor solids and thus function to retain solid sediments 26 removed fromthe body of water 28. Notably, the velocity with which the air, water28, and sediment 26 slurry enters the retention containers 18, aids indriving out water 28 entrained in the solid sediments 26. Once full, orupon completion of a particular project, retention containers 18, 20 maybe transported for proper disposal or treatment at a separate facility.Although hose 90 is disclosed as being constructed of eight inchflexible hosing, it should be understood that hosing of larger orsmaller diameter may also be used to convey air, water, and sediment.

Suction pump 24 also functions to draw the water 28 out of firstretention container 18 through flexible hose 90 and discharge the water28 into tank 30 of vacuum truck 22. Although referred to as water 28, itshould be understood that the water 28 removed from first retentioncontainer 18 may contain some portion of sediment 26 suspended withinthe water 28. Therefore, depending upon the application, the water 26pumped into tank 30 may need further treatment. If offsite treatment isrequired, vacuum truck 22 is adapted to transport the contents of tank30. A removal pump 92 may be used to remove the water 28 from tank 30and transport it to a treatment facility, another tank, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, suction pump 24 and tank 30 are includedon vacuum truck 22. It should be understood, however, that alternativearrangements for suction pump 24 and tank 30 may be used. For example, asuction pump 24 that is not attached to a vacuum truck 22 may be used toremove sediment 26 from a body of water 28, with the water 28 that isdrawn out of first retention container 18 being pumped into a separatetank, retention pond, or even back into the original location from whichit was drawn.

In operation, crane 16 submerges second member 38 into water 28 to theappropriate depth while relief valve 48 is in an open position and knifevalve 74 is closed. Upon activating suction pump 24 and air compressor56, relief valve 48 is closed and knife valve 74 is opened. Air isinjected into flow path 34 and water 28 and sediment 26 are then drawninto suction conduit 12. If needed, high pressure water may bedischarged out of water nozzles 64 to dislodge sediment 26 that hashardened or conglomerated.

Sediment removal system 10 provides a versatile and controllable devicethat is able to remove sediment 26 from water 28 in a focused andcontrolled manner that avoids generating unwanted turbidity. GPSreceiver 44 enables even greater control and focus of the operation andknife valve 74 further prevents turbidity when sediment removal system10 is shut down. The inclusion of air nozzles 32 on inlet portion 50enables sediment 26 to be removed from depths greater than twenty-ninefeet relative to the location of suction pump 24 and the inclusion ofwater nozzles 64 on inlet opening 52 enables hardened sediment 26 to bedislodged such that it may be drawn into sediment removal system 10. Thecapturing of solid sediment 26 by retention containers 18, 20 and thecapturing of water 28 containing suspended sediment by tank 30 enablesthe sediment 26 and water 28 to be transported to an appropriatelocation for treatment or disposal.

The above is a description of the preferred embodiments. One skilled inthe art will recognize that changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the disclosed invention, the scopeof which is to be determined by the claims which follow and the breadthof interpretation that the law allows.

1. A method of removing sediment from a flowing waterway, whichcomprises: movably supporting a suction conduit over the waterway with asupport device, the suction conduit having an inlet portion and an inletopening; inserting the inlet portion of the suction conduit into thewater such that the inlet opening of the inlet portion is located near asediment bed; injecting air into a flow path of the inlet portion withat least one air nozzle located on the inlet portion, the air nozzlebeing supplied with air from an air supply device; and drawing water andsediment using a suction pump through the suction conduit and through atleast one retention container, the retention container being adapted toretain sediment removed from a flowing waterway.
 2. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the support device is at least one chosen from acrane, a floating vessel, and a gantry.
 3. A method as recited in claim1, including the step of spraying pressurized water directed at asediment bed through at least one nozzle affixed to the inlet portion.4. A method as recited in claim 1, including the step of monitoring theposition of the inlet portion using a GPS receiver.
 5. A method asrecited in claim 1, including the step of discharging water drawnthrough the at least one retention container into a tank.
 6. A method asrecited in claim 1, including the step of preventing backflow out of thesuction conduit using a restrictor.
 7. A sediment removal system forremoving sediment from a body of water, said sediment removal systemcomprising: a suction conduit, said suction conduit having an inletportion defining an inlet opening; at least one retention container,said at least one retention container adapted to retain sediment removedfrom a body of water; a suction pump, said suction pump adapted to drawsediment and water through said suction conduit and into said at leastone retention container; a moveable crane, said crane having a base, aboom, and at least one support member supported by said boom, said basebeing located on land and said at least one support member being of apredetermined length and securable to said suction conduit such thatsaid suction conduit is not directly supported by said base and saidinlet portion is selectively positionable within the water; an airsupply device; and at least one air nozzle; said at least one air nozzlebeing located proximate said inlet portion and adapted to inject airfrom said air supply device into a flow path of said suction conduit. 8.The sediment removal system of claim 7, wherein said at least onesupport member is constructed of an I-beam.
 9. The sediment removalsystem of claim 7, wherein said suction conduit is substantiallyL-shaped and includes first and second members, said first member beingsecured to said support member and extendable above the surface of thewater by said crane and said second member adapted to being selectivelyinserted into the water in a substantially vertical orientation, andwherein said inlet portion is located on said second member.
 10. Thesediment removal system of claim 7, further including a water pump andat least one water nozzle affixed to said inlet portion near said inletopening, said water pump and said water nozzle being operable todischarge pressurized water directed at a sediment bed.
 11. The sedimentremoval system of claim 7, further including a tank, wherein saidsuction pump is operable to discharge water drawn through said suctionconduit and said at least one retention container into said tank. 12.The sediment removal system of claim 11, wherein said suction pump andsaid tank define a vacuum truck.
 13. The sediment removal system ofclaim 7, further including a restrictor operatively affixed to saidsuction conduit, said restrictor being adapted to prevent at least aportion of water and sediment within said suction conduit from flowingout of said inlet opening.
 14. The sediment removal system of claim 13,wherein said restrictor is a knife valve, said knife valve being adaptedto receive pressurized air from said air supply device, and wherein saidknife valve prevents water and sediment within said suction conduit fromflowing out of said inlet opening when said knife valve does not receivepressurized air from said air supply device.
 15. The sediment removalsystem of claim 7, further including a GPS receiver, said GPS receiverbeing affixed to said suction conduit and adapted to monitor thelocation of said inlet opening within the water.
 16. A sediment removalsystem for removing sediment from a body of water, said sediment removalsystem comprising: a suction conduit, said suction conduit having aninlet portion and an inlet opening; at least one retention container,said at least one retention container adapted to retain sediment removedfrom a body of water; a suction pump, said suction pump adapted to drawsediment and water through said suction conduit and into said at leastone retention container; a floating vessel, said floating vessel beingoperable to support said suction conduit such that said inlet portion isselectively positionable within the water; an air supply device; and atleast one air nozzle; said at least one air nozzle being locatedproximate said inlet portion and adapted to inject air from said airsupply device into a flow path of said suction conduit.
 17. The sedimentremoval system of claim 16, further including a water pump and at leastone water nozzle affixed to said inlet portion near said inlet opening,said water pump and said water nozzle being operable to dischargepressurized water directed at a sediment bed.
 18. The sediment removalsystem of claim 16, further including a tank, wherein said suction pumpis operable to discharge water drawn through said suction conduit andsaid at least one retention container into said tank.
 19. The sedimentremoval system of claim 16, further including a restrictor operativelyaffixed to said suction conduit, said restrictor being adapted toprevent at least a portion of water and sediment within said suctionconduit from flowing out of said inlet opening.
 20. The sediment removalsystem of claim 16, further including a GPS receiver, said GPS receiverbeing affixed to said suction conduit and adapted to monitor thelocation of said inlet opening within the flowing waterway.
 21. Asediment removal system for removing sediment from a body of water, saidsediment removal system comprising: a suction conduit, said suctionconduit having an inlet portion and an inlet opening; at least oneretention container, said at least one retention container adapted toretain sediment removed from a flowing waterway; a suction pump, saidsuction pump adapted to draw sediment and water through said suctionconduit and into said at least one retention container; a moveablegantry, said moveable gantry adapted to movingly support said suctionconduit such that said inlet portion is selectively positionable withina body of water from which sediment is to be removed; an air supplydevice; and at least one air nozzle; said at least one air nozzle beinglocated proximate said inlet portion and adapted to inject air from saidair supply device into a flow path of said suction conduit.
 22. Thesediment removal system of claim 21, further including a water pump andat least one water nozzle affixed to said inlet portion near said inletopening, said water pump and said water nozzle being operable todischarge pressurized water directed at a sediment bed.
 23. The sedimentremoval system of claim 21, further including a tank, wherein saidsuction pump is operable to discharge water drawn through said suctionconduit and said at least one retention container into said tank. 24.The sediment removal system of claim 21, further including a restrictoroperatively affixed to said suction conduit, said restrictor beingadapted to prevent at least a portion of water and sediment within saidsuction conduit from flowing out of said inlet opening.
 25. The sedimentremoval system of claim 21, further including a GPS receiver, said GPSreceiver being affixed to said suction conduit and adapted to monitorthe location of said inlet opening within the flowing waterway.
 26. Asediment removal system for removing sediment from a body of water, saidsediment removal system comprising: a suction conduit, said suctionconduit having an inlet portion and an inlet opening; at least oneretention container, said at least one retention container adapted toretain sediment removed from a body of water; a suction pump, saidsuction pump adapted to draw sediment and water through said suctionconduit and into said at least one retention container; a supportdevice, said support device adapted to movingly support said suctionconduit such that said inlet portion is selectively positionable withina body of water; an air supply device; at least one air nozzle; a waterpump; and at least one water nozzle; said at least one air nozzle beinglocated proximate said inlet portion and adapted to inject air from saidair supply device into a flow path of said suction conduit, and whereinsaid at least one water nozzle is affixed to said inlet portionproximate said inlet opening, said water pump and said water nozzlebeing operable to discharge pressurized water directed at a sedimentbed.
 27. The sediment removal system of claim 26, wherein said waterpump is positionable remote from said water nozzle and is adapted tosupply said nozzle with pressurized water at pressures up toapproximately 40,000 psi.
 28. The sediment removal system of claim 26,further including first and second retention containers, wherein saidsuction pump flowingly draws sediment and water from said secondretention container into said first retention container.
 29. Thesediment removal system of claim 26, further including a tank, whereinsaid suction pump is operable to discharge water drawn through saidsuction conduit and said at least one retention container into saidtank.
 30. The sediment removal system of claim 26, further including arestrictor operatively affixed to said suction conduit, said restrictorbeing adapted to prevent at least a portion of water and sediment withinsaid suction conduit from flowing out of said inlet opening
 31. Thesediment removal system of claim 26, further including a GPS receiver,said GPS receiver being affixed to said suction conduit and adapted tomonitor the location of said inlet opening within the flowing waterway.32. The sediment removal system of claim 26, wherein said support deviceis at least one chosen from a crane, a floating vessel, and a gantry.